About the Coach

Kendall Crutchfield and her mare Roselina

Kendall Crutchfield

Head IEA Coach

Kendall Crutchfield began her professional equine career as Breeding Manager for Wish Upon A Ster Friesians in Beallsville, MD in 2007. There, she had the opportunity to train and work closely with FEI international trainer and USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist Julio Mendoza (Mendoza Dressage). Alongside Julio, Kendall developed her training and riding foundation as well as her horsemanship skills by handling stallions, mares and foals, and working with young prospects daily. She participated in preparing stallions and foals/yearlings for inspections and started young horses under saddle.  Kendall relocated to Texas in 2009 to begin teaching privately and train personally with several top hunter and jumper trainers. Throughout her riding and training career, Kendall has shown on USEF “A” Circuits, successfully competing on both her own young prospects and client horses. In 2011, Kendall launched her own training business and lesson program, Paragon Performance Horses. She specialized primarily in starting young prospects and training beginner to intermediate level students.  Her students have shown successfully on the local and national levels in the Hunter Seat disciplines.The MHC IEA Team has flourished under her coaching, with individual and team riders qualifying for Regional, Zone, and National finals each year since her start in 2015. 

Kendall attended the private military institute Norwich University in Northfield VT, participating in the Army ROTC program for 4 years. Extensive military training and leadership opportunities have benefited her ability to work with children and adults in a schooling environment.  Kendall is committed to teaching riders the value of true horsemanship- both in and out of the saddle. Her students learn everything from basic horse care to the responsibilities of horse ownership and thrive under her tutelage.

Starting in the Summer of 2016, Kendall began an additional career as the new Equine Director of the renowned adventure summer camp- Camp Laurel in Readville, ME. Contact her for more information on sending your student to camp!

Kendall was raised not far from the MHC campus, in Longmeadow, MA. She now resides in Granby, MA with her son JC. Kendall manages and teaches privately at Northstar Farm, also located in Granby. Contact Kendall, for more information on additional riding opportunities outside of the IEA.

Her younger sister, Taylor Hedges, is a MHC alum, class of 2013! Kendall has always revered the Mt. Holyoke equestrian programs and is truly honored to now be a member of such a prestigious team. 

Contact her directly either by email kcrutchf@mtholyoke.edu or by cell (972)946-9413.